Over 1800 participants have registered to take part in the Mission 2014 BC Winter Games which kick-off February 20. Thirteen-hundred-and-forty-four athletes will be supported by 346 coaches and 156 officials during the four day event.
The athletes are from every corner of the province and have trained to earn a place to represent their zone at the Games. Competing in 18 different sports, the athletes range in age from nine to 17 (in able-bodied sports). Athletes with a disability will compete in wheelchair basketball, Special Olympics basketball, para-alpine and para-nordic (cross country ski) events.
Volunteers in Mission have been preparing for the past 18 months to host their first-ever BC Games. There will be up to 2000 volunteers working to ensure the participants have exceptional competition and a first-rate experience with Opening and Closing Ceremonies, special events, and wonderful hospitality.
“The future of sport in B.C. is coming to Mission and we are looking forward to seeing these young athletes compete to the best of their ability,” said Kelly Mann, President and CEO of the BC Games Society. “The BC Winter Games are the first step towards national and international level competitions where we see BC Games alumni taking centre stage.”
The timing of the BC Winter Games this year is particularly exciting as it coincides with the final weekend of the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi.
Ten BC Games alumni will be competing for the Canadian Olympic Team including 2010 Olympic gold medalist Maëlle Ricker (Snowboard), 2011 World Champion Kelsey Serwa (Ski Cross), NHL star Carey Price (Hockey) and former track and field standout turned bobsleigh driver, Justin Kripps.
To find out who is registered to represent your community and sport at the Games, look at the Participant List which is now available online and searchable by city, sport, and name. The Participant List and numbers are subject to change until the close of the Accreditation Centre at 5:00 pm on Feb. 20.
For more information about the BC Winter Games please visit BCGAMES.ORG.
